In a podcast interview last year, the Duchess of Cambridge opened up about her own childhood and revealed how her “amazing granny” had a lasting impact on how she raises the three children. The interview was organised in a bid to encourage Britons to participate in the ‘Five Big Question On The Under Fives’ survey.

       Kate Middleton, 39, discussed how grandmother Valerie Glassborow was a character in her younger life who “really stood out”.

       Before Catherine was born, Glassborow, who died in 2006, had a rather interesting life.

       During the Second World War, she had worked as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park alongside her twin sister, Mary.

       Upon leaving Bletchley, she married Captain Peter Francis Middleton and went on to have four sons with the RAF fighter pilot.

       The eldest of which, Michael, is Kate’s father.

       On the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, the Duchess said: “I had an amazing granny who devoted a lot of time to us, playing with us, doing arts and crafts and going to the greenhouse to do gardening and cooking with us.”

       She also told the podcast’s host, Giovanna Fletcher, that this experience has had a lasting impact on the education and upbringing of Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three.

       “I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experience I give my children now,” added Kate.

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       But Kate also said how important a “happy home” and “safe environment” is to her environment and stressed how she wanted the three children to have a similar experience.

       “As children," she explained, “we spent a lot of time outside and it’s something I’m really passionate about.

       “I think it’s so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying (developmental) foundations.

       “It's such a great environment to spend time in, building those quality relationships without the distractions of ‘I've got to cook’ and ‘I've got to do this’.

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       "And actually, it's so simple."

       During the podcast, Kate said: “What we’re doing with the survey is asking people - what is it that matters for them in raising their children today.”

       “It’s going to take a long time," the Duchess explained. She added: “I’m talking about a generational change, but hopefully this is the first small step: to start a conversation around the importance of early childhood development.

       “It’s not just about happy, healthy children.

       “This is for lifelong consequences and outcomes.”